To check whether your voter registration is active and whether you will receive a mail ballot to vote on the Topeka USD 501 school bond issue, call the Shawnee County Election Commission at (785) 266-0285.

Registered, active voters who live in Topeka Unified School District 501 will automatically receive ballots regarding a potential $143 million bond issue in March.

To receive the ballot automatically, voters must be registered by March 9. Some registered voters who haven’t shown any activity for a certain period are listed as inactive and won’t receive ballots automatically. Residents can check whether their registration is active or inactive by calling the Shawnee County Election Commission at (785) 266-0285.

The election office plans to send out the ballots, together with stamped return envelopes, on March 19. Voters who miss the March 9 deadline for registration to automatically receive ballots can still register to vote as late as March 18 and request that a replacement ballot be mailed to them.

Ballots must be received by noon April 8. In addition to mailing their ballots, voters can deliver them in person to the election office, but can’t turn in ballots for friends or family members under normal circumstances. The results of the bond vote will be finalized on April 14.

According to the election commission, there are currently about 48,000 registered voters in USD 501. That figure is expected to increase ahead of the vote to around 50,000.

The estimated cost of holding the election by mail is $181,600, which will be billed to USD 501. A precinct election would cost an estimated $160,000, according to the election commission, but USD 501 school board members have expressed concern that voter turnout would be lower.

The question on the ballot will be whether USD 501 should issue up to $143 million in bonds for construction, technology and other costs:

“Shall Unified School District No. 501, Shawnee County, Kansas, (Topeka) issue general obligation bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $143,000,000 to pay the estimated total costs of constructing, renovating, improving, furnishing, and equipping certain new and existing district education facilities; constructing, improving, furnishing, and equipping certain new and existing district storm shelter facilities; acquiring and installing new security system and lighting equipment and improvements in the district’s school building and other facilities; acquiring and installing certain technology enhancements throughout the district and its facilities; do such site work and all other things necessary and incidental thereto, all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 75-2315 et seq. and K.S.A. 72-6761, all as amended?”

Details of the bond issue

The school board initially mulled over a $90 million bond issue borrowed over a 20-year period with no increase to its bond mill levy, but later opted for $143 million borrowed over 30 years, also with no expected increase. The district’s tax impact analysis is based on current low interest rates and on annual state aid. USD 501 currently qualifies for 44 percent state aid on bond costs.

The proposed bond issue includes building a new elementary school next to Jardine Middle School that would replace Bishop, Avondale West and Shaner elementaries. Bishop would be renovated into a professional development center for the district, Shaner would become a preschool, and Avondale West also would potentially be repurposed.

Other elements of the bond issue include adding shelters at all schools that lack spaces built to meet federal specifications for withstanding strong storms.

The district would close Capital City School and split it into two programs. Capital City’s high-schoolers would move to the nearby Boisen building, while its middle-schoolers would move to a tailored extension at Jardine Middle School. Capital City serves students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

The current Capital City building would become a career center for high-schoolers across the district, modeled on a similar program in the Blue Valley district.

The plan includes an estimated $40.7 million in security improvements and $23.5 million in technology spending. The latter would include introducing one-to-one ratios at the secondary level between students and devices like laptops and tablets.

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501 administration is really emphasizing the security piece, but that is only $40 million of the amount. With the middle income tax raise the legislature just gave us and the tax changes the Feds are thinking about instituting, a lower tax levy from 501 is needed. If no bond is passed and the old ones are paid off, there would be a considerable lowering of the 501 mill levy. Vote no now. If the board is so adamant about the security piece, they can come back with a $40 million bond which would be much more acceptable.

That's what it's like when you start using metal detectors, etc. I would like them to have some sense of freedom. If someone is going to go in a shoot up a school, they're going to find a way to do it. As far as the rest of this I've gotta say no. Use what you have, fix it up and stop throwing away perfectly good buildings. They've already spent $181,600 just on this election.

with all of the State cuts in Education, these initiatives are needed. The security is a no-brainer, more cameras, controlled access, storm shelters, especially after what happened in Oklahoma City last year. The technology items will help improve the learning outcomes, it has been proven better outcomes with better access to technology. Our kids are worth the investment.....if they are going to survive in this world, a good education is the least we can do. I'd much rather my tax dollars going towards things like this than MANY of the other programs I've heard about lately.

The only worthy endeavor is the security and technology upgrades, which, are the bells and whistles they are hoping will persuade an affirmative vote. The reality is, the bells and whistles represent but a drop in the bucket and are merely carrots to bait the rabbits.

The real crux of the proposal is the closing of functional buildings, consolidations without merit, needless construction of new buildings, relocating students within a secure and successful program for behavioral, emotional and mentally disordered into mainstream schools. All of which are unnecessary, unwise and disastrous propositions.

For once, the community needs to let it's voice be heard and categorically vote NO. It is inexcusable to allow such a frivolous and irresponsible proposal to be hurriedly pushed through. It is time the school board and the administrators realize that it is not necessary to habitually obligate the school district with hefty bond obligations just because the bond money is available. With the outstanding bond debt dwindling down there could be reprieve realized for a time. Just because the 'credit card' balance is paid off does not warrant charging up another debt.

If it sounds too good to be true. Then it probably is not true. There is nothing in this world free. You're not going to get $143 million for nothing (at no cost to you). You don't get something for nothing. $143 million is a lot of something they're pushing for nothing. This gift horse has got two rear ends and it's going to kick you in yours. If it is passed.
VOTE NO ON THE BOND ISSUE!!!!!

The cuts in funding have nothing to do with this. If it were not for several high profile school shootings, 501 (as well as every other school district) would not be as worried about security.

And if funding from the state was at a level the district wanted, they would still be asking for a bond of $143 million. As Mark pointed out, the security aspect is not the lion's share but is the part that more parents will be able to recognize. Misguided ads addressing how unsafe their kids will be if these measure are not put in, will cause many to vote for them.

This has nothing to do with state funding, but with the fact that school districts (like 501) never really had to bother about security or else they would have been enhancing their district security over the last several decades. But after those high profile events, they realize they deferred action too long and need to do something now...immediately. But that costs money so they turn to the taxpayers to bail the school board out from its own mistake.

How the people in the community continue to lash out and direct so much anger at the central office administration, and now to the point that you think you are actually hurting "THEM" by voting "no". Do any of you care at all about the children in this district, their safety, and their quality of education?? And what about the teachers and staff who are working everyday to provide the best instruction, build relationships, and care so much about your children?

This just in folks, you're not hurting them. In fact, they will find a way to make all of these improvements and changes occur dispute you, and likely at a cost to you. This initiative isn't going to stop in its tracks with a no vote.

Also- inform yourselves. The students at Cap City aren't going to be mainstreamed. They will have a self- contained and separate center that is simply housed at Jardine. The safety of students is not being compromised. Only students through 8th grade will be there as well, not the High School aged children.

Vote yes, support your public schools, and be a positive force in this community. This isn't hurting you, administration, or politicians, but it will affect kids.

going to be? Bullet proof film on the windows. To my knowledge all the shootings at these schools started on the inside of the buildings. So what is bullet proof film going to do? I understand the need for safe rooms but do you realize the size of room it will take to hold all the students in case of a severe storm or tornado. Are these scheduled for all schools? I'm still voting NO!

they are going to vote against something and then tell us all that they don't know what they are voting on. I almost thought that I was reading a legislative story for a second ... you know, the ones detailing when elected officials say they voted on something but couldn't tell you what was in the item they voted on! You know, the same elected officials that get blasted by some on this site for exactly the same type of irresponsible voting.

It is OK if people want to vote NO on this but at least vote KNOWING the issue. That is what we have elections for ... to show an "informed" public's wishes. To help in that process, you can go to the link and find one page for every building in the district and the security measures for each.

Amazing that there are no metal detectors listed on any of the sheets and there is more than "bullet-proof film" on the windows for security measures.

The board and administrators are playing the same game that has worked for them for decades. Take, for example, every time their budgets are opposed, they immediately, for decades, publicly announce how they will have to cut programs like the arts, debate, music, etc. And, on cue, the community reacts with a furor and somehow, someway, the district finds a way not to cut the programs they vehemently swore would have to be cut.

This time is really no different. They are counting on people's natural reaction to the thought of students' safety being jeopardized if this bond proposal is not passed. They are using people's real fears for their children's safety to manipulate a vote on a bond proposal whose least intent was to enhance safety measures. The inclusion of 'technology' upgrades is the other carrot they are including; after all, how can anyone deny students of anything that offers an educational enhancement for students.

The technology upgrade and the safety enhancements have been tacked onto this bond proposal in order to create smoke and mirrors to distract voters from the unnecessary closing of schools and consolidations in order to get the vote for building new structures. Hopefully those in the USD 501 district are smarter than the district thinks they are, hopefully those in the USD 501 district have memories of past charades played on them by this board and hopefully, those in the USD 501 district recognize a wolf in sheep's clothing as it is being lured to bite the bait.

Hopefully, the community will ask the question: If the district has been so concerned about student safety, why is it they have not ever requested money for security upgrades before? If the district saw the need for technology upgrades, why have they never requested money for such upgrades until now? And, if their concerns about security and technology upgrades were genuine and sincere, then why is the bond issue about millions of dollars for new buildings and school closings and consolidations rather than just for the cost of security and technology upgrades? Furthermore, voting NO on this bond proposal does NOT mean the board cannot pursue another bond issue for only the security and technology upgrades. Hopefully no one in the USD 501 district will allow themselves to be fooled with the board's trickery into voting 'yes'.

And if they don't have enough money to TEACH the kids as they keep whining about, then how can they afford this $143M? They have to pay it back sometime. Not like some rich philanthropist is donating it.

If you want to discuss the facts then I will be happy to do so. As a matter of fact, I do not attend USD 501 schools and have not for several decades now as I have graduated from college and received my Master's. I, however, did once long ago attend McEachron, Jardine and TWHS. My children also attended USD 501 but have long ago graduated, both are grown, one is a physician here in town and another is employed in the athletic arena. I do have grandchildren who attend USD 501 and one is out of town and another is in preschool. Does this adequately answer your question?

My position on the bond proposal is not influenced at all about which schools are being closed or which school is going to have additions built. My position is based on common sense and facts. I have made my position clear in previous posts. As I said, I am more than happy to discuss facts with you.

many things were realized about responding to a dangerous situation in the school. Yes, 501 has a security force, but they can't be everywhere. Film for windows, do you know how many windows, in schools, were damaged because of gunfire in the area? How often have schools been on lockdown in the last year for things happening, not in the school, thank God, but in the neighborhood that the school is in? How many students do not have storm shelter? Do you want your kid putting their head between their knees, arms over their heads, in a ground level hallway and hoping an F4 does not topple the wall on them (OKC/Moore, last year....and they had much divine intervention....it could have been much, much worse).

As for the technology aspect, for decades the district has held together with duct tape and bailing wire to keep an antiquated district wide technology infrastructure. It is time that those things were upgraded and that the students had the same tools as are offered in school districts like Mission Valley, Shawnee Heights, Seaman. As for the teaching staff, they really are trying to address individual student needs, the technology allows them to get the 'majority' of the students working on a project, and can spend individual time with those that need it. Not preparing our kids for the technology expertise that is required to get through college, and then a better than minimum wage job, is just not a smart thing.

As for the repurposing of buildings, the upgrades necessary to provide safety and shelter are cost prohibitive, or investing a ton of money to meet minimum, probably substandard safety for the students. I for one don't want to watch WIBW covering a Newtown situation. At this moment, we, the citizens of USD501 are not doing everything we can to protect our children while at school and provide them with the best education experience we can.

Consolidating some of the students in a common location actually saves dollars. Resources can be shared between buildings....in the long run, better services for the money spent.

Do I agree with everything the board does, no.....but they have patched together scattered programs through various grants for long enough, a comprehensive plan has to address the infrastructure and direction of the district for the long haul. It is way past time....

Amount of money! All of the 501 schools are providing a "weak" education for students (in general). This money does nothing to truly change that. They throw out the term "new technology", hoping to make people believe that's going to make things great; it won't! My Sons's school provided IPads for all students this year. Although that sounded great, they're really mostly used for surfing/playing on the web. No real educational improvement there!

"Shall Unified School District No. 501, Shawnee County, Kansas, (Topeka) issue general obligation bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $143,000,000 to pay the estimated total costs of constructing, renovating, improving, furnishing, and equipping CERTAIN new and existing district education facilities; constructing, improving, furnishing, and equipping CERTAIN new and existing district storm shelter facilities; acquiring and installing new security system and lighting equipment and improvements in the district’s school building and other facilities; acquiring and installing CERTAIN technology enhancements throughout the district and its facilities; do such site work and all other things necessary and incidental thereto, all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 75-2315 et seq. and K.S.A. 72-6761, all as amended?”

The taxpayers have been mislead, hoodwinked, and ripped off by far too many 'certain' but unspecified proposals for far too long - for bond issues and sales tax increases that were NOT spent the way the taxpayers/voters were led to understand they would be.
TELL ME EXACTLY how the proposed money will be spent:
Exactly how much will be spent
Exactly what it will be spent on
Exactly which locations it will benefit from EACH expenditure
Will it be spent with local businesses or will it be leaving our taxing area

How much (of your own) money will you be sending in? I'm talking about, above and beyond, your tax bill. If you're willing to send in $50,000 of your own, hard earned cash, I'll vote "yes". Saying that you support it, is just a bunch of easily spoken words. If you are willing to put some "skin in the game"; that would make a difference for me.

What difference does it make how, where, when or by whom CHG's child got an ipad. Again, rather than senseless and irrelevant questions, how about using facts to support all the sarcastic remarks and opinions you assert? I believe the majority on this post would be more than happy to discuss facts with you.

As far as CHG is does matter. If someone is not in 501 their opinion matters not at all.

As far as this bond, I have stated over and over:
-The bond pays for dramatic improvements to most elementary school that are desperately needed. These include but are not limited to: tornado shelters, new play grounds (some like McEachron's are 40+ years old), full gyms, better parking and drop-off arrangements, better locks for doors, and safety film on windows.
-A further emphasis on career training for non-college bound students
-Improving services to emotional problem kids by splitting up middle and high school kids to meet their specific needs.
-Consolidating 3 schools at Jardine to offer a wider variety of services those kids need (social work, special needs,
autism help, etc)
-Technology upgrades for high school to learn to use the technology they will use for actual careers in a few years.